Coccopygia melanotis (endemic)

We first recorded these adorable waxbills in January 2010 while hiking in the Drakensberg. The male’s distinctive black face and bright red bum make it easy to identify in the field.

My best moment with them was in July 2011 while staying at Forest Valley near Knysna. I went on a short forest walk and came across a flock cleaning themselves in a small puddle left by the rain. They were too busy having fun and splashing one another to worry about the intruder with the camera and I was lucky to enough to record some of their festivities.